Does your pool need a pump? What happens if you do not run your pump? This article answers these questions and more, so keep reading!
As a pool owner, I know how important it is to maintain the pool regularly. That means keeping the pump running most of the time.
However, I always wonder if I can leave the pool alone, especially when I go on a vacation, or if I would not be swimming due to the weather. And what happens if the pump suddenly stops working?
Fortunately, I performed extensive research to write this article and give insight into your queries.
Below, I will answer how long a pool can survive without using a pump. I will also discuss how you can keep your pool clean in case your pump malfunctions.
Without further ado, let us get on with the article!
What Happens to a Swimming Pool When the Pump Is Broken?
A pool pump keeps the water moving to circulate chemicals effectively. At the same time, a pool pump runs the water through the filter system to remove floating debris. It is an integral part of pool maintenance as it ensures the pool is clean and safe for swimming.
If the pump suddenly malfunctions, the water stops moving and remains stagnant. All the dirt, dust, and debris will no longer get filtered. Instead, they just continue floating on the water.
Over time, this stagnant water will also support the growth of stubborn algae. It produces the perfect environment for them to thrive.
Finally, a broken pump means that chemicals are not circulated throughout the pool. It leads to imbalanced chemical levels, which eventually results in other problems.
What To Do if Your Pool Pump Is Broken or Unavailable?
A pump is essential in keeping your swimming pool clean. However, there are instances when a pool pump stops running. For instance, it suddenly malfunctions and needs repair. Or you plan on taking a vacation and turning off your pool pump for a longer period.
Regardless of the reason why you cannot use a swimming pool pump, it is best to increase the levels of chlorine or other chemicals. These can help kill algae and bacteria when your pool cannot filter them.
You must also stop swimming until the pump is running again. Doing so can prevent spoiling the pool water if it is in a healthy state before the unit shutdown.
Finally, if your pump fails for some reason, get the pump fixed immediately. Do not go without a pump for more than a week, or you need to completely refresh your pool water.
How to Keep Your Swimming Pool Clean Without a Pump?
Below are some tips on how to clean your above-ground or inground pool when your pump is unavailable. Note that these methods can only keep your pool clean for the short term. It is not recommended to go without a pump for a week or longer.
Keep the Pool Chemicals Balanced
Maintaining the chemical balance in your swimming pool keeps it sanitized and clean, even without a pump.
Add chlorine tablets or liquid chlorine to the pool water. Keep them between one to three parts per million (ppm) to prevent algae and bacteria growth. You might also consider using cyanuric acid to protect the chlorine against sunlight. Maintain the acid’s levels around 30 to 50 ppm for long-lasting results.
And depending on your pool surface type, it is best to balance the calcium hardness level. Doing so can prevent damage to the pool plaster.
Remove the Debris
When left alone, debris can quickly accumulate and stain your swimming pool. That is why it is important to remove them from your pool as soon as possible.
You can use a skimmer net with a telescoping pole to scoop out floating debris, such as leaves and branches.
If you have money to spare, you can invest in an automatic pool skimmer or pool vacuum. Simply drop them in the pool to get rid of the debris before they collect on the water. After every cleaning cycle, remove and rinse the debris bag.
Brush the Pool Walls and Floor
If you encounter stubborn dirt that has already settled on the pool surface, consider using a brush.
Scrub the pool’s bottom and sides to remove stuck debris. At the same time, you can help move the water around the pool and circulate necessary chemicals all through. Thus, you can help prevent debris, algae, and bacteria growth for a few hours until you can run your pump again.
Consider the Shocking Method
Pool owners who live in hot areas can consider shocking their inground or above-ground pools. High temperatures can cause algae to grow quickly if you are not yet aware. And without a pump to circulate chemicals throughout the pool, all kinds of bacteria can develop in the water.
Fortunately, shocking the water can prevent these problems from arising. It involves adding three to five times more chlorine. The higher chlorine level in water can hinder algae and bacteria growth by killing them.
But before you add chemicals, ensure that you are protected from these harmful substances. Wear protective pieces of equipment, such as goggles and gloves. There is also a risk of staining your clothes, so wear something you do not mind ruining.
Next, prepare the chemicals accordingly. Read and follow the instructions from the manufacturer’s packaging. For instance, some require you to dissolve granular shock in a bucket of water before pouring it into the pool. Meanwhile, other types of shock allow you to incorporate them directly.
After adding the pool shock, leave it alone to perform its work. Wait for at least eight hours or overnight before checking your pool chemistry.
Test the chlorine levels and ensure it is between one to three ppm before swimming. Anything higher than that can cause itching or red eyes in swimmers.
How To Circulate Water Without a Pool Pump?
Removing debris and adding chemicals are not enough to clean your swimming pool. It is also vital to keep water circulating.
However, this task is difficult to achieve in a pool without a pump. Nevertheless, it is still possible to circulate water using the alternatives below.
Use a Submersible Pump
A submersible pump pushes water into the pool until your pump gets fixed.
All you need to do is connect a hosepipe to the pump and drop it into the pool’s deep end. Then, place the opposite end of the pipe towards the shallow end for emptying.
The submersible pump will efficiently move water from the deep end to the shallow end. Hence, it can help circulate the pool water without a pump.
However, submersible pumps can present hazards to pool owners. As you know, electricity and water do not mix. And although most pool pump brands use cast-iron housing, their products can still suffer from occasional seal failures, resulting in contact with water.
Install the electric submersible pump properly to keep you safe. If possible, turn off the pump before getting into the pool.
Deploy a Robotic Pool Cleaner
If you have extra money, you can invest in a robotic pool cleaner. This pool maintenance equipment can effectively trap floating debris. At the same time, it can push around a lot of water to help in pool circulation.
Robotic pool cleaners are also easy to use. They can automatically keep water clean once you drop them into the swimming pool.
With that said, these automatic cleaners can never replace a variable-speed pool pump in improving water clarity.
Push the Water by Yourself
Pool owners without access or money for the alternatives mentioned above can manually move the water instead.
Use a shovel, pool brush, or skimmer net to push the water. If possible, create a large enough swish to promote pool circulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to run my pool pump for 24 hours every day?
You do not have to operate your pool pump for 24 hours every day. The rule of thumb is to keep it running for a minimum of eight hours. Doing so gives the pump enough time to circulate the water through the filtration system. Hence, you can achieve clean and safe water for swimming.
With that said, you can leave the pool pump on for longer periods, especially during the busy swimming season. You will not harm the water quality when you do so.
Should I turn my pool pump off when I am away on vacation?
It is essential to keep the pool pump and filter on, even when you are away on vacation. Make sure to operate it for around eight to 12 hours per day. You can use an automatic timer, so the pool pump runs continuously based on the set time frame. You can also rely on this timer to go off once the filtering cycle is done.
Can you swim in a pool without chlorine in it?
Yes, you can probably swim in a pool without chlorine and suffer minimal consequences. But the better question is: should you? Well, no.
A pool without chlorine contains bacteria that can potentially harm you in the long run. It is still better to swim in a pool treated with chemicals than “fresh” water. If you do not want to add liquid chlorine, you can use bromine, ionizers, and ozone generators to kill bacteria in the pool water.
Conclusion
A pump is an essential piece of maintenance equipment to keep your pool clean. It moves water to a filtration system and circulates chemicals around the pool. Thus, your swimming pool should not go without pool pumps for more than a week. The lack of water movement can lead to the growth of algae, bacteria, and all kinds of debris.
If you have a broken pump, make sure to fix or replace it immediately. In the meantime, do your best to maintain the pool chemistry, remove debris, and circulate water. You can follow the methods in this article for cleaning your pool temporarily.
